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New archeology and history workshops in Cordoba

From January 27, 2020 until December 17, 20208:00 p.m.
CORDOBA
Casa Árabe headquarters (at Calle Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9). 8:00 p.m. Prior registration required.You can sign up one week before each workshop.
In Spanish.

Casa Árabe is hosting these workshops given by SextoMario at its headquarters in Cordoba, with the goal of increasing awareness about the region’s history and historical values.

Intended for audiences young and old, they provide participants with historical knowledge by teaching them about crafts. At the same time, the workshops attempt to draw attention to the potential offered by our cultural heritage and the various challenges which it currently faces, as well as the results achieved by transmitting this heritage.

All of the workshops are free of charge, though you must sign up in advance for each, as the information on them is published on this website (approximately one week before each workshop). The materials required for the activity will be provided by the organizers.

Calendar
February 20: Geometric design
March 19: Decorated window - CANCELLED
April 30: Cordovan leather - CANCELLED
May 28: Aromas of Al-Andalus - CANCELLED
June 25: Gems of Al-Andalus
July 9: Small lamps
September 17: Colored architecture
October 22: Creative bookbinding
November 19: Dressing table boxes
December 17: Ink wells

SextoMario is made up of professionals who have earned advanced degrees in Art History, History and Archeology, possessing excellent resumes with training on the history and archeology of Cordoba. Moreover, they possess a great deal of experience in the field of teaching, which allows them to offer those whose take part in their workshops with extensive, diversified information on the history and archeology of our past, always in accordance with the level of those participating. SextoMario was created because of a calling to teach History in a pleasant and entertaining way, without setting aside the basic contents that form part of our values and culture, through an extensive catalogue of educational workshops and games. With this focus, the workshops strengthen skills such as paying attention, memory, psychomotor skills and coordination, while the youths learn about a wide range of aspects from our past and, In turn, reflect about our present.
New archeology and history workshops in Cordoba
  • “Geometric design” workshop

    “Geometric design” workshop

    From January 27, 2020 until February 20, 2020The workshop will be held on February 20, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
    CORDOBA
    Casa Árabe headquarters (at Calle Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9). The workshop will be held on February 20, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Free of charge. Prior registration required. For kids over the age of 8.
    You may register as of February 13.
    In Spanish.
    On February 20, we will be holding the first of the workshops on archeology and history which Casa Árabe and SextoMario are giving in Cordoba. You may register as of February 13. 
    One of our workshops most greatly appreciated by those attending is now back again. We will be introducing some of the most common designs in lacería (arabesque bandwork) from Al-Andalus, which students will get the chance to reproduce using a ruler and compass. It is an example of how simple, repetitive techniques were used by ancient craftsmen in Al-Andalus, who were thus able to create apparently complex designs.

    At this third edition of the workshop, we will be increasing the complexity of the models, introducing not only designs with straight lines, but also curves, which participants can then use to decorate with watercolor paints.
  • Decorated Window

    Decorated Window

    From March 05, 2020 until March 19, 2020The workshop will be held on March 19 at 6:00 p.m.
    CORDOBA
    Casa Árabe headquarters (at Calle Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9). The workshop will be held on March 19 at 6:00 p.m. For all audiences. Free entry, though you must sign up in advance to attend.
    You may register as of March 12.
    In Spanish.
    At this new workshop, to be held on March 19, we will be seeking out decorative expressiveness in the form of a small frame, which we will be decorating in the style of Al-Andalus. You can register as of Thursday, March 12.
    Islamic art is characterized by its “horror vacui,” or the need not to leave any empty space free of decorative motifs. Though this feature is quite difficult to appreciate at present in the structures of the caliphs still preserved from Al-Andalus, at the Archeological Site of Madinat al-Zahra, you can still see such spectacular marble windows, which were polychromed back in the day.

    At this new workshop devoted to the history of Al-Andalus given by SextoMario, we will be focusing on this feature of Islamic art and seeking out decorative expressiveness in the form of a small frame, which we will then decorate in the style of Al-Andalus.
  • Jewelry of Al-Andalus

    Jewelry of Al-Andalus

    From June 18, 2020 until June 25, 2020The workshop will be held on Thursday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m.
    CORDOBA
    Casa Árabe’s central courtyard (at Calle Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9). The workshop will be held on Thursday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m. Prior registration required. You may sign up as of one week prior to the workshop. Limited number of attendees due to social distancing.
    In Spanish.
    On June 25, our Cordoba headquarters is coming back with its workshops on archeology and history, given in conjunction with SextoMario. The workshop is full.  
    The jewelry of Al-Andalus was not something for women alone. Sometimes it served as a sign of prestige for the person wearing it.

    The economic and artistic splendor of the Cordoba of the Caliphs, combined with the tradition of jewelry making, led to the development of new techniques such as filigree. Introduced by Jews originating in Damascus, it eventually achieved international renown. 
    At this workshop, those attending will get to produce their own jewelry creations, using the filigree techniques from Al-Andalus as a model.

    All materials will be provided by the organizers, and the proper safety and hygiene measures will be put in place.
  • Arab lamp workshop 

    Arab lamp workshop 

    From July 02, 2020 until July 09, 2020The workshop will be held on Thursday, July 9 at 8:00 p.m.
    CORDOBA
    Casa Árabe’s central courtyard (at Calle Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9). The workshop will be held on Thursday, July 9 at 8:00 p.m. Prior registration required. You may sign up as of one week prior to the workshop. Limited number of attendees due to social distancing.
    In Spanish.
    On Thursday, July 9, we have arranged for another workshop in Cordoba, to be given in conjunction with SextoMario, to learn about history and archeology in a fun and dynamic way. You can sign up as of July 2.
    Lighting up ancient Qurtuba (Cordoba’s name during during the era of the caliphs) required the use of oil lamps which were generally made out of ceramics, bronze or glass.  Though these were devices put to everyday use, many of them were decorated or engraved with materials that usually had geometric designs.

    At this workshop, we would like to provide a modern view of this custom, so we propose making a simple, pretty oil lamp with a shade that displays a geometric design to light up the warm summer nights.

    All of the workshops are free of charge, though you must sign up one week in advance, before each workshop is held. The materials required for the activity will be provided by the organizers and are intended for use by one individual alone. Space is limited due to the health situation, so you will be required to use a face mask in order to attend the workshop. The June, July and September workshops will be held at 8:00 p.m. in Casa Árabe’s main courtyard.
  • Architecture in full color

    Architecture in full color

    From September 10, 2020 until September 17, 2020The workshop will be held on Thursday, September 17 at 8:00 p.m.
    CORDOBA
    Casa Árabe’s central courtyard (at Calle Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9). The workshop will be held on Thursday, September 17 at 8:00 p.m. Prior registration required. You may sign up as of one week prior to the workshop. Limited number of attendees due to social distancing.
    In Spanish.
    Once summer has ended, we will be returning with our workshops on history and archeology in Cordoba, given by SextoMario. This activity will be held on Thursday, September 17 (you can sign up as of one week before then).
    Islamic art is rich in color and detail, and the Cordoba Mosque, of course, is a clear example of this aspect. Ornately carved and polychromatic, a large number of the original wooden beams, which once offered a beautiful and colourful spectacle, are still on display.

    During this workshop, we will introduce those attending to the decorative plant motifs that characterize this supporting feature and bring it to life through the original colors used to paint the beams of our renowned mosque, studied by Velázquez Bosco in the 1960s.

    All of the workshops are free of charge, though you must sign up one week before each workshop is held. The materials required for the activity will be provided by the organizers and are intended for individual use. Space is limited due to the health situation, so you will be required to use a face mask in order to attend. The June, July and September workshops will be held at 8:00 p.m. in Casa Árabe’s main courtyard.
  • Cordovan workshop

    Cordovan workshop

    From October 09, 2020 until October 22, 20206:00 p.m.
    CORDOBA
    Casa Árabe headquarters (at Calle Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9). 6:00 p.m. Prior registration required. Capacity is greatly limited due to the health situation.
    In Spanish.
    Like every month, we have our regular date with the workshops given by SextoMario to learn about archaeology and the history of Cordoba given in an entertaining way, through arts and crafts. The activity is to be held on October 22. SOLD OUT.
    Cordovan and “guadamecí” are two decorative handicraft techniques for working the leather of either goats or rams, and sometimes colts. Such was the mastery and development of this technique in the capital of the Umayyad caliphate of Al-Andalus that the technique was named after the city, which also gave rise to other terms for artisanal crafts. This art’s roots lie in Andalusian tanning techniques and the material features of the area, a whole series of events which gave rise to one of the most famous and widespread displays of artistry in the great palatial and manorial homes of Europe and America.

    During this craft workshop, you will get the chance to make a simple leather coin purse with embossed decoration that illustrates a theme both famous yet unknown at the same time.

    All of the workshops are free of charge, but you must sign up one week in advance of each. SOLD OUT. The materials required for the activity will be provided by the organizers and are intended for individual use. Space is limited due to the health situation, so you will be required to use a face mask in order to attend.
  • Jewelry box workshop

    Jewelry box workshop

    From November 05, 2020 until November 19, 2020The workshop will be held online on Thursday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m.
    ONLINE
    The workshop will be held online on Thursday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m. You must sign up in advance. Capacity is greatly limited due to the health situation.
    On November 19, we will be giving an online workshop from Cordoba to learn about the archeology and history of the region in an entertaining way. On this occasion, the item we will be making was inspired by the ivory boats and the manganese green decoration. WORKSHOP FULL
    Ivory boats were amongst the finest gifts given by the caliph, including an extremely luxurious piece like the famous Pyxis of Al-Mughira from Madinat al-Zhara.  

    In our workshop, we will not be making a box out of ivory, but we will be inspired by such works. The participants will reproduce some of the magnificent designs and decorations in the ivory pyxides but using the “cuerdaseca” (“dry rope”) technique. The goal in doing this is to increase awareness and inspire practical thinking about one of the most important art techniques from the era of the caliphs, known as “manganese green” ceramics.

    All of the workshops are free of charge, though you must sign up in advance (FULL). Now that the new opening time restrictions have been enacted by the Autonomous Regional Government of Andalusia, the workshop will be held online (those who sign up will be sent a link to join the group). The materials required for the activity will be provided by the organizers and are intended for individual use. Once your registration has been confirmed, you can pick them up in person at the Casa Árabe headquarters in Cordoba (Monday-Thursday until 6:00 p.m.).
  • “Dyers” Workshop 

    “Dyers” Workshop 

    From December 09, 2020 until December 17, 2020The workshop will be held online on Thursday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m.
    ONLINE
    The workshop will be held online on Thursday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. Prior registration required.
    In Spanish.
    Once again, with the help of SextoMario, we will be learning about Cordoba’s history and archeology in an entertaining way. The last workshop of the year will be held online on December 17 (registration as of December 10. Sold out.)
    Natural dyes have been used since ancient times to color clothing. It was extremely hard work and poorly regarded but could pass on benefits associated with the cost of raw materials required to generate some specific colors like yellow or purple.

    Importing new materials and techniques from the East made it possible to develop new dyes. At this workshop, we will learn the basic techniques and how to manufacture dyes from 100% natural products.

    All of the workshops are free of charge, though you must sign up in advance (sold out). Now that the new opening time restrictions have been enacted by the Autonomous Regional Government of Andalusia, the workshop will be held online (when you sign up, you will be sent a link to join the group). The materials required for the activity will be provided by the organizers and are intended for individual use. Once your registration has been confirmed, you can pick them up in person at the Casa Árabe headquarters in Cordoba as of 12:00 noon on Monday, December 14.